2015 Jaguar F-Type R Coupe: Wet Weather Manners

December 24, 2014

The headline "Wet Weather Manners" is a misnomer when it comes to how the 2015 Jaguar F-Type R Coupe behaves in the rain. Let me clarify: This isn't an unsafe car. Modern stability control ensures that. But it's also not a tremendously confident or comfortable car in the rain.

I've always enjoyed driving the F-Type, but not for the same reasons I enjoy driving the cars it's supposed to compete with. It doesn't offer the same level of control as many of those, specifically the Stingray or 911. Sure, it's outrageously fast, but its need to be tiptoed around corners is frustrating. You see, in the F-Type R, the gap between the limit of grip and limit of control is a small one. Certainly, there's a lot of grip. Enough to go truly fast in most situations.

But exploring that last little bit isn't really worth it here. I'm reminded that the line between glory and sucking is an especially fine one. And in the rain that trait is even further amplified. Leave the stability control on. You won't regret it.